Frommer's British Columbia

355 Pages·2012·37.014 MB·English

by  Chloe Ernst

British Columbia
7th Edition
by Chloë Ernst & Chris McBeath
Published by:
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Description: Snowboarder takes air, British Columbia, Canada
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5 4 3 2 1
CONTENTS
List of Maps vi
1
THE BEST OF BRITISH COLUMBIA
1
The Best Travel Experiences 2 The Most Dramatic Drives 6
The Best Active Vacations 2 The Best Walks & Rambles 7
The Best Nature- & Wildlife- The Best Luxury Hotels & Resorts 8
Viewing 3 The Best B&Bs & Country Inns 9
The Best Family-Vacation The Best Rustic Accommodations:
Experiences 4 Lodges, Wilderness Retreats
First Nations Culture & History 4 & Log-Cabin Resorts 10
The Best Museums & Historic The Best Northwest Regional
Sites 5 Cuisine 10
The Most Scenic Views 6 The Best Festivals & Special
Events 11
2
BRITISH COLUMBIA IN DEPTH
13
British Columbia Today 13 CALENDAR OF EVENTS 24
Looking Back at British The Lay of the Land 26
Columbia 14 Responsible Travel 27
British Columbia in Popular Escorted General-Interest Tours 27
Culture 19
GENERAL RESOURCES FOR
Eating & Drinking in British RESPONSIBLE TRAVEL 28
Columbia 21
Active Vacation Planner 28
When to Go 23
3
SUGGESTED ITINERARIES IN
BRITISH COLUMBIA
31
The Back Roads of Interior B.C. The Best of Vancouver in 1 Day 35
in 1 Week 31 The Best of Victoria in 1 Day 36
The Wild & the Sophisticated on
Vancouver Island in 1 Week 33
4
VANCOUVER
39
Essentials 39 Exploring Vancouver 63
Getting Around 45 Outdoor Activities 69
FAST FACTS: VANCOUVER 47 Vancouver Shopping 75
Where to Stay 48 Vancouver After Dark 78
Where to Eat 55
5
VICTORIA
84
Essentials 84 TAKING AFTERNOON TEA 96
Getting Around 87 Exploring Victoria 97
FAST FACTS: VICTORIA 88 Outdoor Activities 102
Where to Stay 89 Victoria Shopping 106
THE OAK BAY “PHOENIX” 92 Victoria After Dark 108
Where to Eat 93
6
SOUTHERN VANCOUVER ISLAND &
THE GULF ISLANDS
112
Essentials 113 NORTH OF VICTORIA: GOLDSTREAM
PROVINCIAL PARK 136
The Gulf Islands 116
Duncan & the Cowichan Valley 136
West of Victoria: Sooke &
Beyond 132 En Route to Nanaimo 143
7
CENTRAL VANCOUVER ISLAND
146
Essentials 147 The West Coast Trail & Pacific Rim
Nanaimo & Gabriola Island 148 National Park 162
BROKEN GROUP ISLANDS 167
Parksville & Qualicum Beach 157
Denman & Hornby Islands 175
En Route to Vancouver Island’s
West Coast 160 Courtenay & Comox 177
8
NORTHERN VANCOUVER ISLAND
183
Essentials 183 West to Gold River & Nootka
Campbell River & Quadra Sound 194
Island 184 Telegraph Cove, Port McNeill, Alert
Strathcona Provincial Park 192 Bay & Port Hardy 195
9
THE SUNSHINE COAST & WHISTLER
203
The Sunshine Coast 203 FROM PEAK TO PEAK 211
Whistler: North America’s Premier
Ski Resort 207
10
NORTHERN BRITISH COLUMBIA
224
The Inside Passage & Discovery The Yellowhead Highway: From
Coast 225 Prince Rupert to Prince
Prince Rupert 227 George 239
Haida Gwaii 234 Prince George 245
The Alaska Highway 249
11
THE CARIBOO COUNTRY &
THE THOMPSON RIVER VALLEY
251
Cariboo Country Essentials 252 Quesnel 261
En Route to 100 Mile House 253 East to Barkerville & Bowron
100 Mile House & the South Lake 262
Cariboo District 255 The Thompson River Valley 264
Williams Lake 257 HOUSEBOATING ON THE SHUSWAP
LAKES 268
West on Hwy. 20 to Bella Coola 259
12
THE OKANAGAN VALLEY
272
Essentials 272 Penticton 276
Touring the Wineries 273 Kelowna 282
Osoyoos 274 Vernon 291
Oliver 275
13
SOUTHEASTERN BRITISH COLUMBIA &
THE KOOTENAY VALLEY
293
Revelstoke 294 The Kootenay Valley: Cranbrook &
Mount Revelstoke National Park 300 Nelson 309
Glacier National Park 301 The Upper Columbia Valley: A
Golfing & Recreational
Golden 303
Paradise 316
EXPLORING THE COLUMBIA RIVER
WETLANDS 305
14
PLANNING YOUR TRIP TO BRITISH
COLUMBIA
319
Getting There 320 FAST FACTS: BRITISH COLUMBIA 323
Getting Around 322 Airline Websites 333
Index 335
LIST OF MAPS
The Back Roads of Interior B.C. in Pacific Rim National Park 163
1 Week 32 Campbell River 185
Vancouver Island in 1 Week 34 Whistler Village 209
The Best of Vancouver in 1 Day 36 Prince Rupert 229
The Best of Victoria in 1 Day 37 Cariboo Country & the Thompson
Greater Vancouver Area 41 River Valley 253
Vancouver 42 Kelowna 284
Victoria 85 Southeastern British Columbia 295
Vancouver Island 114 Mount Revelstoke & Glacier National
The Gulf Islands 118 Parks 301
Nanaimo 150 British Columbia 324
HOW TO CONTACT US
In researching this book, we discovered many wonderful places—hotels, restaurants, shops,
and more. We’re sure you’ll find others. Please tell us about them, so we can share the
information with your fellow travelers in upcoming editions. If you were disappointed with a
recommendation, we’d love to know that, too. Please write to:
Frommer’s British Columbia, 7th Edition
John Wiley & Sons, Inc. • 111 River St. • Hoboken, NJ 07030-5774
ADVISORY & DISCLAIMER
Travel information can change quickly and unexpectedly, and we strongly advise you to
confirm important details locally before traveling, including information on visas, health and
safety, traffic and transport, accommodations, shopping, and eating out. We also encourage
you to stay alert while traveling and to remain aware of your surroundings. Avoid civil distur-
bances, and keep a close eye on cameras, purses, wallets, and other valuables.
While we have endeavored to ensure that the information contained within this guide is
accurate and up-to-date at the time of publication, we make no representations or warran-
ties with respect to the accuracy or completeness of the contents of this work and specifically
disclaim all warranties, including without limitation warranties of fitness for a particular pur-
pose. We accept no responsibility or liability for any inaccuracy or errors or omissions, or for
any inconvenience, loss, damage, costs, or expenses of any nature whatsoever incurred or
suffered by anyone as a result of any advice or information contained in this guide.
The inclusion of a company, organization, or website in this guide as a service provider
and/or potential source of further information does not mean that we endorse them or the
information they provide. Be aware that information provided through some websites may
be unreliable and can change without notice. Neither the publisher nor author shall be liable
for any damages arising herefrom.
ABOUT THE AUTHORS
As a west-coast travel writer, Chloë Ernst has skied on the slopes overlooking her Vancouver
home, rafted rivers in Whistler, and caught waves on Pacific beaches. She also contributes to
Frommer's Vancouver & Victoria, as well as various print and online publications. Read more
about the travel writer’s journeys at www.chloeernst.com.
With a lifetime of travel under her belt, Chris McBeath says she has yet to find a destination
that beats the natural beauty and cosmopolitan nature of her home British Columbia. A sea-
soned travel writer with experience in many facets of the tourism industry, from chambermaid
to management, aboard cruise ships and in top-ranked hotels, Chris brings to this book an
insider’s eye for what makes a great travel experience. In addition to bylines that include print,
online, and i-app publications worldwide, Chris maintains her own travel website (www.greatest
getaways.com), is the contributing editor of “The Art of a Getaway” for the Arts & Cultural
Guide to British Columbia (www.art-bc.com), and is the author for Frommer’s Vancouver Island,
the Gulf Islands & the San Juan Islands and coauthor of Frommer’s Vancouver & Victoria.
FROMMER’S STAR RATINGS, ICONS & ABBREVIATIONS
Every hotel, restaurant, and attraction listing in this guide has been ranked for quality, value,
service, amenities, and special features using a star-rating system. In country, state, and
regional guides, we also rate towns and regions to help you narrow down your choices and
budget your time accordingly. Hotels and restaurants are rated on a scale of zero (recom-
mended) to three stars (exceptional). Attractions, shopping, nightlife, towns, and regions are
rated according to the following scale: zero stars (recommended), one star (highly recom-
mended), two stars (very highly recommended), and three stars (must-see).
In addition to the star-rating system, we also use seven feature icons that point you to
the great deals, in-the-know advice, and unique experiences that separate travelers from
tourists. Throughout the book, look for:
special finds—those places only insiders know about
fun facts—details that make travelers more informed and their trips more fun
kids—best bets for kids and advice for the whole family
special moments—those experiences that memories are made of
overrated—places or experiences not worth your time or money
insider tips—great ways to save time and money
great values—where to get the best deals
The following abbreviations are used for credit cards:
AE American Express DISC Discover V Visa
DC Diners Club MC MasterCard
TRAVEL RESOURCES AT FROMMERS.COM
Frommer’s travel resources don’t end with this guide. Frommer’s website, www.frommers.
com, has travel information on more than 4,000 destinations. We update features regularly,
giving you access to the most current trip-planning information and the best airfare, lodging,
and car-rental bargains. You can also listen to podcasts, connect with other Frommers.com
members through our active-reader forums, share your travel photos, read blogs from guide-
book editors and fellow travelers, and much more.